New foster pics. They've been with us just over a week and are developing fast. The past two days, they've learned to climb. They love my jeans! They've also gotten messier. I decided to switch from the short sided litter box to a bigger one today after coming home to find the bathroom a poop war zone. Many, many little poop foot prints and lots of "How did that get there?"s. All the bedding is in the wash including their new favorite dog bed.

Also, for the Twin Cities contigent, Saturday is the annual Walk for Animals. I'll be working all day near the main stage. If you're there, stop by to say "hi!" It's even bigger than past years since we're consolidating into just one location at our Golden Valley site.

Here are photos of the fosters I brought home on Sunday. We can't handle Momma, yet, but do our best as she settles in here. She's terrified of the "dog outside the bathroom door," so I don't have to worry about her bolting out and hiding somewhere in the house but his interest in meeting the fosters makes her even more skittish. She's feral but maybe was originally a stray at some point--it's hard to tell. She isn't aggressive but does hiss a lot if we get too close or startle her by opening the bathroom door when she's out of the cat carrier. She's peeking out of the carrier in one photo. The big successes of the week with her are that she will now come part way out of the carrier and eat while I'm sitting just a foot away from her on the floor and I've actually heard her purring a few times when the kittens were cuddled on my lap. The three, fuzzy little ones will need a couple more weeks with her before they are fully weaned and then will need a week or two more to get to surgery weight. Over the last 4 days, they've learned to climb things and how to navigate slippery linoleum. They still wobble and trip over their own feet, though. The kittens are a little boy orange tabby with white belly and feet, a little girl brown tabby with white belly and feet (like her mom) and a grey and white little boy who looks a lot like an anime character.

Our last foster set was very tough (and didn't end well) due to a combination of upper respiratory infection and FIV. It left the two of us emotionally drained, so we're hoping these guys stay healthy. We've heard each of the kittens sneeze, but it doesn't seem to be progressing. We're keeping our fingers crossed and are very thankful that mom was found with them.

DOESN'T THIS MAKE YOU WANT TO BE A FOSTER VOLUNTEER?!!!! KITTEN SEASON IS STARTING NOW IN MINNESOTA AND PROBABLY STARTED A LOT EARLIER IN WARMER CITIES. SHELTERS WILL ONCE AGAIN BE OVERLOADED WITH CATS AND KITTENS, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER TO SEE IF YOU CAN HELP!

Just in case you are one of those who missed it like me, here is my new addiction (and I'm not really much of a gamer):

The Guild

Friends in Mange Bear came in 4th at a Rock Band competition at The Dive in Maplewood last night. First time I've ever seen the game. Lots of fun to watch. I can see why it's addictive. Here are a couple photos from the KDWB website. You can find more, including the incredibly realistic 2nd runners-up and duct-taped KISS: here.




Jenney says I look like I was going to bite her, but was really yelling, "Rock on!"

Gambit's reaction last night to news that Coleman will appeal and Minnesota will continue to be without one of its senators for another month or so:

I'm so disgusted I don't have anything to say except, "Amazon you are so stupid! This is going to backfire on you big time.":

Amazon Rank

It just stopped snowing in Youngstown after snowing all morning, but it didn't matter because is there anywhere better to be during spring flurries than in a cafe with a nice hot mocha, a laptop, awesome company, and a martini glass of vanilla bean creme brulee? Alan read last night at Dorian Books which has a fabulous reading space. The reading was followed by a very good open mic line up that included the marvelous Christopher Barzak and some of his students and friends as well as others. This trip was a little more relaxed than our usual overnight visits and we have a whole day of hanging out today. Back home tomorrow. There had better not be any snow!

EDIT: There's was no snow and it was actually sweater weather--no jacket! Gambit submissive peed all over the lobby to Now Boarding! (new AHS run boarding facility at the Mpls. Airport) when we picked him up--must keep working on his socialization. He's asleep next to me on the couch. Tilly the foster kitten is curled up purring on my lap and other cats hover nearby. This makes the fact that I already miss Chris, Tony, Kokoro and Yuki a bunch. Why isn't Ohio closer?